RUGGED LUXURY | Shower and off-grid AC-capable Sprinter 170 AWD VAN TOUR

From luxury finishes to rugged practicality, this Sprinter 170 build is designed to thrive in the wild.
Ben Fraser, founder of Ready Set Van, takes you on a tour of a one-of-a-kind Sprinter 170 AWD van build, tailored for a client’s challenging travel plans. Built to conquer rugged trails while offering unparalleled comfort, this van features:
Van Compass 6.3 Suspension Kit for 2” lift & adjustable shocks
KO2 tires on Black Rhino rims for ultimate traction
Custom CA Tuned Bumper with Baja Designs LP9 Pros
Skid guards and a 10,000-lb winch for off-road security
Custom walnut interior, dimmable LED lighting, and Arctic Tern windows
Full kitchen setup with grain-matched butcher block counters
RV-King-size bed with storage, custom headboard, and Sonos sound system
Garage with slide-out tray, 3000W Victron inverter, 42G water tank & winterizing system
MUCH MORE!

[@ReadySetVan]

We're extremely proud of this build!! Let us know if you have any questions about it or about anything that we do here at Ready. Set. Van!

[@jessijmontoya632]

Loved the self driving drink cart. So cool!!

[@ShermanMarchand-qi9ln]

Like everything. I need one today.

[@OutdoorSugar]

Winterization is all gravity feed? Are those 3 ball valves controlled electrically with a solenoid? Turn on, drain, turn off, and done?

[@GiselleTrujillo]

Absolutely Stunning craftsmanship!

[@ReadySetVan]

Thank you!

[@christinefriar2788]

What a stunning van!!! I love your vans and the workmanship is outstanding!! Thank you for showing us these wonderful builds.

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks so much for the kind comment! Much appreciated.

[@cullenking4154]

Can't get enough of all your vans; shop or outdoor setting.

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks very much! We're hoping to film an updated and complete shop tour fairly soon, too.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

Really nice! I think your client had a great idea with the headboard

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks! Us, too. It came out really well.

[@Harp4Hand]

Another beauty, well done! I didn’t catch where the shower grey water ends up (guessing a 10-15 gallon tank underneath). And a benefit of that headboard design is as an extra barrier between the noggin and rear doors on cold nights.

[@ReadySetVan]

It's a 20 gallon tank underneath the van for the shower, and a 10 gallon tank inside the van for the kitchen. We ended up really liking the headboard, too, it came out so well. Thanks for the comment!

[@GConvery]

Beautiful van and explanation of the design choices.

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks, appreciate it!!

[@minxypink00]

The garage cabinets and wiring layout looks great - very clean and neat work!

[@ReadySetVan]

Thank you! Lots of attention to detail by the folks here who do that work.

[@alexandracraig5506]

My dream had always been to convert a short bus something like this. You are doing incredible things! I wish I could afford to do something like this, our even just buy one of yours. It's a dream I hope one day can come true.

[@jackpruet554]

Nice setup.

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks very much!

[@OutdoorSugar]

This van is really nice. Very close to what I have in mind for my build in a couple years. Definitely will be interviewing and considering you for my build.

[@MelissaChernovsky-mh6xv]

Beautiful van. Love the walnut.

[@ReadySetVan]

Thank you! Fun fact - the first vans we built were walnut-only because we thought it was so nice. Of course, now a lot of people like a birch interior and we really like that, too.

[@amysharp545]

Its huge and lovely.

[@robtranspore8080]

Nice build! Impressive how well you thought through the details.

[@ReadySetVan]

Appreciate that - it's nice to know all of our time thinking about the details pays off.

[@LindaCoffee-e3k]

Love this build. Its what im looking for.

[@samkeino6810]

Excellent build and video! Do you think EV Vans have a future?

[@ReadySetVan]

Great question - we have some opinions here and are really excited for the potential future. Right now, the short answer is that the range just isn't there, and having a fossil-fuel generator under the hood to charge your batteries is just too convenient. Long term, as the tech improves, it feels inevitable.

[@DaphneLowe]

I look forward to seeing your video on the Clesana toilet. It looks like it takes the best aspects of the Wrappon and puts it the nice shell of the Laveo. I hope it becomes popular in the US.

[@ReadySetVan]

Yes, the concept is great and we're really hoping to try one out soon here. Fortunately, we have some clients besides this one who are also having it installed and excited to "test it out" - so we'll have their trusted reviews even before our own.

[@a_jablome]

Very nice. Well thought out design. The closest yet to my needs. Couple questions: 1. Can you integrate a Timberline system into a build like this? 2. I'd like a larger refrigerator in lieu of some of that cabinet storage. 3. Absolutely love the garage. Best in class 4. Are you able to add the 40g extended fuel tank to this setup? 5. Is that a 48v air conditioner? 6. I'm assuming no issues adding a 5g cassette toilet? 7. Where does that shower drain? 8. How do I contact you?

[@ReadySetVan]

Great questions. We haven't installed hydronic heating systems and there are a number of reasons that we're unlikely to do so in the future. Maybe we'll make a video about our rationale there - would that be a good idea? There can be serious compromise with a bigger fridge, so a lot of our clients will have us install a second fridge or fridge/freezer/cooler in the garage or elsewhere. That's a 110v A/C from Houghton. We *really* like that unit and it does a great job cooling the larger Sprinter 170. We will install the Dometic RTX 12v unit by customer request or on smaller vans, but prefer this one for the longer wheelbases. The shower drains to a gray tank under the van, which is purged via dump switch. It can be hooked up. Send us an email - [e-mail] - fill out a form on our website - www.readysetvan.com/contact-us - or give us a call - [phone].

[@a_jablome]

I appreciate your detailed and timely response!

[@tg-ik5pf]

Nice 🥰

[@JW_Hans]

You should do a video review on the Sprinter 144 Highline

[@ReadySetVan]

Great suggestion. We have one in production right now and will film a video on it when it's done!

[@keliblum6591]

I love it. I'm very impressed. What is the cost of something like this?

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks very much! Our Hudson build, which is this interior layout, includes a lot of standard features (A/C, lithium, the layout you see here) and starts at $94k. The van is a separate purchase, and if you buy a new, well-optioned Sprinter 170 AWD, you can expect to pay $80-85k. So a baseline is ~$185k total. Quite a few of our builds, like this one, add tens of thousands in just exterior modifications, so prices for the build can go up more than double.

[@lonhoss324]

So impressive. Are you able to share the price of this particular build?

[@ReadySetVan]

The Hudson layout comes with a well-featured interior at $94k, and we've found that some people add ~$10k of options, while others (like this one) double the price. This van has over $50k of just exterior components!

[@Pytte]

was wondering when US would find these awesome toilets, its all the rave in Europe :)

[@ReadySetVan]

We've had more and more requests for them - what we really need to do is try one out for an extended period!

[@jeffmoberley550]

So how is this different than the Laveo? Seriously curious. What I'd like to find is a hybrid Laveo/dry flush that is urine diverting so I can have my (hopefully rare) #2 sealed up and an eco-friendly #1 that I can dump without using anything disposable.

[@Pytte]

@@jeffmoberley550 similar, you can buy addon for clesana for separate pee, or just use the powder and pee direct, it can cut different size bags depending on the amount. The bags for clesana are much cheaper.. but the actual toilet is a lot more expensive/premium

[@samkeino6810]

How much would this cost to build with the Van included?

[@ReadySetVan]

The Sprinter 170 AWD, well-featured from Mercedes, comes in between $82-85k as of right now. So the total cost starts at ~$176k, but most end up in the low 200s. Many end up much higher!

[@LindaCoffee-e3k]

Im saving down payment for one. It will be my home, at age 72.

[@alexdesslin]

pas assez cher mon fils !

[@marcelroman6639]

I know who I'm going to

[@ReadySetVan]

Come by any time! You can contact us directly at [e-mail] and if you're local (or want to fly in!) you're welcome to visit us, just email or call to make an appointment.

[@malanalan1]

Very poor presentation. Lacks a lot details.

[@ReadySetVan]

Thanks for the feedback - how do you think we can improve in our presentation and better explain details?

[@realbudgiesmugglertwohatsb2611]

Like the van the lift and the front seats quality 12volt and AC power components good water storage Its all there. But absolutely don't like the fitout at all Big slabs are of chopping board wood very dated bathroom shower and coffin type bedroom. I been living in vans for 50 years and this build. Is lost between ceramics and wood you do it either full hippy wood or modern ceramic with marble twist coatings this build is boring not enough solar without needing a Genset or start the motor horrible cage for his dog no thought to food water and no exit hatches for doggy...or ramp to get dog in or out .. People will look at This rig And think it's pretty good lf I had it l would strip it out and. Start again